Allium tuberosum

Chinese Chives, Garlic Chives, Oriental Garlic

Easy to grow, edible members of this diverse family include Onions, Garlic, Shallots, Leeks, Green Onions and Chives. Leaves grow best in cool weather and moist soil. Mature Onions, Garlic and Shallots form bulbs in summer. Feed early in growing season with low nitrogen, high potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Slower grown from seed, but you will get a larger crop and more varieties to choose from. Easiest to grow from small bulbs called sets. In mild winter areas, plant in fall. Elsewhere, plant in earliest spring. Store Garlic bulbs and Onions in a cool, dry, airy place out of direct light.

Use the edible leaves for a mild garlic flavor in salads and in cooking. Abundant, violet-scented white flowers on tall stems attract bees and are showy in dried arrangements.